Shrewsbury Crowdfunder Campaign Extended - 14/9/17

Shrewsbury Town's crowdfunding appeal to install and trial rail seating in their South Stand has hit the £50,000 mark and has now been extended.

The Shrewsbury Town FC Supporters Parliament are leading the campaign and have now secured 64% of the £75,000 target necessary to become the first club in England to trial rail seating as the issue of Safe Standing won't go away.

Celtic introduced a section of rail seats the other season and their ongoing test has largely been a success with fans appreciating the option, as well as causing plenty of discussion in the game as to the safety and appropriateness of re-introducing standing to the modern game.

The crowdfunding campaign began at the beginning of August with supporters and businesses playing their part in the sum raised so far, and the latest landmark was reached following a donation by fans of Bristol City and their Supporters' Club & Trust will now have their name engraved on a rail seat to show their support.

Shrewsbury are of course th first EFL club to apply for a licence for rail seats and that followed agreement between the EFL and the Sports Ground Safety Authority that means there is now a process in place for 29 EFL clubs that are not subject to all seater guidelines and requirements, to install rail seating at their stadiums.

It is of course a small step but a meaningful one and the EFL and Supporter Groups continue to lobby the Government for a change in regulations, but obviously allied to the live use of rail seats in Germany's Bundesliga, the trial at Celtic and a future trial at Shrewsbury, that will only help allay concerns relating to the previous tragedy's associated with standing at football.

Speaking to the EFL.com Mike Davis of the Supporters Parliament explained.

'The end date was merely an indicative point to aim for, and the real objective is to raise the money we need, so we will keep the campaign open until we do. Giving every fan the choice to stand is far more important.'

Being so close to their final and full goal it's understandable why they are pushing on now and they'll be confident of reaching their full goal shortly no doubt.